Em Chord
How to play E minor on guitar — darker and more reflective than major; the 3rd drops a semitone.
- Notes
- E – G – B
- Frets (low → high)
- 0 2 2 0 0 0
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Shape
- Movable shape at fret 2
How to play Em, step by step
- 1Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th).
- 3Let the low E, G, B and high E strings ring open.
- 4Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a minor chord
Darker and more reflective than major; the 3rd drops a semitone.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above E |
|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 |
| G | minor 3rd | 3 |
| B | 5th | 7 |
Which keys use Em?
Em appears in these keys, so a song built on it is most likely in one of them. Each page shows the full chord set and the easiest capo position.
Other E chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every minor chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play Em you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Em chord?
- Em is made of E, G, B — the root, minor 3rd, 5th of E.
- Is Em hard to play?
- No — Em sits at 0 2 2 0 0 0 and is rated beginner, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like Em?
Upload a chord sheet and move every chord into a key that fits your hands and your voice — the layout stays exactly as printed. Or let the capo calculator pick the position that turns the barre chords into open ones.